Hair Treatment Method, Kit, Recipient, and Use Thereof

ABSTRACT

A method of treating hair, a hair treatment kit for extemporaneous preparation of hair treatment compositions, a recipient for applying hair treatment compositions, and use thereof are provided. The invention provides a superior hair treatment performance such as a superior hair colouring and/or bleaching performance, particularly for providing superior root to tip treatment evenness.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method of treating hair, a hair treatment kitfor extemporaneous preparation of hair treatment compositions, arecipient for applying hair treatment compositions, and use thereof. Theinvention provides a superior hair treatment performance such as asuperior hair colouring and/or bleaching performance, particularly forproviding superior root to tip treatment evenness.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

For consumers who have previously coloured their hair, the colour andcondition of the hair is not homogenous along the entire length. Thehair strands will comprise root virgin hair or new growth hair which hasnot been previously coloured and conversely at the tips hair which hasexperienced one or multiple hair colouring treatments. The tips of thehair typically are the most damaged portion of the hair and the colourwill have changed over time dependant on the wash fade profile andnumber of types of hair colourant applied, amongst many relevantfactors. The intermediate hair length is typically a medium betweenthese two extreme conditions. As a consequence in the salon, forconsumers who have previously coloured their hair, the salon styliststypically will colour the root virgin hair first with a specificcomposition to most effectively colour the hair to the desired endresult. However, the remaining length of the hair and tips which hasbeen previously coloured and may have undergone multiple colouringcycles is coloured with a separate and different composition to thatapplied at the roots. In this manner the salon stylist aims to provide ahomogenous end colour result along the entire length of hair from rootto tip independent of the variations of starting hair colour andcondition along the hair length. Such method requires advancedprofessional skills in colouring hair for ensuring that the end resultis satisfactory. Most consumers do not master such skills, and areunable to treat different strands and/or portions of hair with differenthair colourant for achieving a satisfactory blend of tones.

The need for providing a retail hair treatment system, particularly aretail hair colouring and/or bleaching system, for use on roots and theentire hair length, has been met with the hair colouring methods, kitsand compositions thereof disclosed in PCT patent applicationPCT/US2013/027268, filed on 22² Feb. 2013. In such method, it isprovided a first composition being a non-diluted hair colouringcomposition, and a dilutant component. A first portion of the firstcomposition is applied onto hair, preferably onto hair roots, while theremaining second portion is mixed with the dilutant component forobtaining a diluted hair colouring composition, which is then appliedonto hair, preferably onto hair lengths and tips. Alternative methods,compositions and kits have also been considered. For example, the firstcomposition may be a hair perming composition and/or the secondcomposition may a hair colouring and/or bleaching composition, a hairperming composition, a dilutant composition, a composition of lower pHthan the first composition, a composition of higher pH than the firstcomposition.

These methods, kits and compositions have proven useful for achieving asatisfactory hair treatment performance such as a superior haircolouring and/or bleaching performance, particularly for providingsatisfactory root to tip treatment evenness. However, some consumersstill struggle, after having applied the first portion of the firstcomposition onto hair, in properly mixing the second portion with thesecond composition in the appropriate proportions and/or in ahomogeneous fashion. Even when clear and detailed instructions have beenprovided, some consumers still find it difficult to obtain the mixedcomposition. Inappropriate and/or inhomogeneous mixing may provide,after application of the hair colouring composition onto hair, tounsatisfactory results such as differing and/or inhomogeneous tones,inappropriate blend of tone.

There is the need therefore for providing an improved method fortreating hair being easy and intuitive to put into practise, even forthe non-trained user. There is also the need for providing a method oftreating hair for consumers having limited experience and/or skills intreating hair such hair colouring and/or bleaching hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for treatinghair comprising the steps of: providing a first composition having aviscosity of from about 20 to about 200 Pa at 10s⁻¹; providing a secondcomposition, wherein said composition is compatible for mixing with thefirst composition; providing a recipient comprising a base, a frameattached circumferentially to the base, and a cavity delimitated by thebase and the frame and being suitable for containing a hair treatmentcomposition, wherein the frame comprises a partition means and/orindicia for physically or virtually splitting the volume of the cavityinto at least two adjacent sub-volumes; pouring the first compositioninto the cavity of the recipient; applying a first portion of the firstcomposition onto the hair; retaining a second portion of the non-appliedfirst composition, the volume of said second portion corresponding toone of the two sub-volumes of the cavity; pouring the second compositioninto the other sub-volume; mixing the second composition with thenon-applied first composition; applying the mixed composition to thehair. In a preferred aspect, the first portion of the first compositionis applied onto the hair roots and the composition obtained by mixingthe second composition with the second portion of the first compositionis applied onto the hair lengths and tips.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a hair treatmentkit, for extemporaneous preparation of hair treatment compositions,comprising a first composition, a second composition and a recipient asabovementioned.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a recipient suitablefor containing hair treatment compositions comprising: a base; a frameattached circumferentially to the base, and a cavity delimitated by thebase and the frame and being suitable for containing hair treatmentcompositions; wherein the frame comprises a partition means and/orindicia for virtually or physically splitting the volume of cavity intoat least two adjacent sub-volumes.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of arecipient as abovementioned as a support for containing two differinghair treatment compositions, before their application onto differentportions of hair, preferably before their respective application on theroots and lengths/tips of hair.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the recipient.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the recipient.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the recipient.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the recipient, computer-simulating stepviii) of the method for treating hair.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the recipient, when used together with a mixingand/or application tool at step viii) of the method.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As used herein the term “hair” to be treated may be “living” i.e. on aliving body or may be “non-living” i.e. in a wig, hairpiece or otheraggregation of non-living keratinous fibers. Mammalian, preferably humanhair is preferred. However wool, fur and other keratin containing fibersare suitable substrates for the compositions according to the presentinvention. The terms “root”, “hair roots”, “root hair line” and “virginhair” all refer to hair which has not been previously treated with ahair colouring composition.

In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the haircolouring and/or bleaching compositions are applied to hair which hasalready been previously coloured with hair colouring compositions. Insuch a case, the terms “root”, “hair roots”, “root hair line” and“virgin hair” all refer to the portion of hair having grown, since thelast hair colouration, said portion of hair being virgin, i.e.naturally-coloured and the terms “hair lengths and tips” refer to theremaining portion of hair having been already previously coloured.

By “hair colouring” composition it is meant a composition suitable forchanging the colour of hair. The hair colouring composition is referredhereinafter as “the composition”, unless otherwise specified. The haircolouring composition can comprise oxidative dye precursors, direct dyesor even no, or substantially no, dyes in case of bleaching onlycompositions where the change of colour is mainly caused by thedegradation of the natural melanin contained in the hair shaft by theoxidizing agent. The term “hair colouring” composition as used hereincovers hair bleaching and hair oxidative dyeing products.

All percentages are by weight of the hair colouring composition, i.e. ofthe ready-to-use composition, unless otherwise specified. When more thanone composition are used during a treatment, the total weight to beconsidered is the total weight of all the compositions applied on thehair simultaneously (i.e. the weight found “on head”), typicallyresulting from mixing an oxidative composition (also called developerand/or oxidizing composition/component) with a dye composition (alsocalled tint, and/or dye composition/component), unless otherwisespecified. All ratios or percentages are weight ratios or weightpercentages unless specifically stated otherwise.

The inventors have surprisingly found that, by designing a specificrecipient 1 and by selecting a first composition having a definedviscosity, it could be provided an improved method for treating hairbeing easy and intuitive to put into practice, particularly for thenon-trained user. Such method allows obtaining a superior hair treatingperformance such as hair colouring and/or bleaching performance,particularly for providing superior root to tip treatment evennessand/or for providing superior blend of tones. Indeed, the inventors havefound that providing a recipient 1 comprising a partition means and/orindicia together with a first composition having a viscosity ofsufficient value for not flowing freely is of advantage for helping theuser using the right amount of the first portion of the firstcomposition to be applied onto hair and therefore retaining the rightamount of a second portion of the first composition 3 for subsequentmixing with the second composition. This has proven superior toconventional methods, where the first composition is poured into aconventional recipient deprived of any partition means and/or indicia,and after applying a first portion of it onto hair and retaining asecond portion of it, and where the second composition is merely pouredon top of said second portion. Such conventional methods are notpractical, in that the user could hardly know whether s/he has retainedthe right amount of the first composition. In contrast, by providing afirst composition which is viscous enough so that it does not flowfreely, the user could easily and intuitively retain and then pushand/or pack the right amount of the non-applied portion 3 of the firstcomposition, thanks to the partition means and/or indicia 13 helpingidentifying easily and intuitively what the amount should be, ascorrelated to one sub-volume of the recipient 1.

The First Composition

The method for treating hair according to the invention comprises thestep of providing a first composition having a viscosity of from about20 to about 200 Pa at 10 s⁻¹, or from about 30 to about 200 Pa at 10s⁻¹, or from about 100 to about 200 Pa at 10 s⁻¹, from about 130 toabout 180 Pa at 10 s⁻¹, as measured according to the viscosity testmethod (step i). Providing a first composition having such viscosity isessential for ensuring that the composition does not flow freely,particularly does not flow freely within 60 min, or within 40 min, orwithin 30 min, or within 20 min. So that, after applying a first portionof it onto hair, the remaining second portion 3 can be pushed and/orpacked on one side of the recipient 1 into the sub-volume delimitated bythe partition means and/or indicia 13. In addition, such viscosityenables the first portion of the first composition to be applieddirectly to the roots without any dripping or running down the hairlengths and also enables the mixed composition (see step xi) to beeasily applied and distributed along the entire remaining hair lengthwith minimal to no dripping from the hair.

The first composition may be selected from the group consisting of ahair colouring and/or bleaching hair, a hair perming composition, andmixtures thereof; or a hair colouring and/or bleaching composition; or ahair colouring composition comprising a dye compound; or a haircolouring composition comprising a dye compound selected from the groupconsisting of an oxidative dye precursor, a direct dye compound, andmixtures thereof; or an oxidative hair colouring composition comprisingan oxidative dye precursor and optionally a direct dye compound.

Whenever the first composition is an oxidative hair colouringcomposition, it may be obtained by: providing a developer componentcomprising an oxidizing agent; providing a dye component comprising anoxidative dye precursor and/or an alkalizing agent; optionally pouring,sequentially or simultaneously, the developer and the dye componentsinto the cavity of the recipient; mixing the developer component and thedye component homogenously; preferably at a mixing ratio of from about1:5 to about 5:1, or at a ratio of from about 1:2 to about 2:1, or at aratio of about 1:1.

The first composition may comprise a solvent. Any suitable solvent knownin the art may be used. For example, the solvent may be selected fromthe group consisting of water, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, glycerol,1,2-propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, ethoxy diglycol, and mixturesthereof; and/or it may be present in a total amount ranging from atleast about 50% by total weight of the first composition.

The first composition, and the developer component, may comprise sourceof an oxidizing agent. Any suitable oxidizing agent known in the art maybe used. For example, the oxidizing agent may be selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen peroxide, percarbonates, persulphates, andmixtures thereof; and/or it may be present in a total amount rangingfrom about 0.1% to about 10% by total weight of the first composition.

The first composition, and the dye component, may comprise an alkalizingagent. Any suitable alkalizing agent known in the art may be used. Forexample, the alkalizing agent may be selected from the group consistingof ammonia, ammonium salts including ammonium carbonates, non-ammoniaalkalizing agents including monoethanolamine; and/or it may be presentin a total amount of from about 0.1% to about 10% by total weight of thefirst composition.

The first composition, and the dye component, may comprise an oxidativedye precursor, which are usually classified either as primaryintermediates (also known as developers) or couplers (also known assecondary intermediates). Various couplers may be used with primaryintermediates in order to obtain different shades. Oxidative dyeprecursors may be free bases or the cosmetically acceptable saltsthereof. For example, the oxidative dye precursor may be present in atotal amount of up to about 12% by total weight of the firstcomposition. Suitable primary intermediates include, but are not limitedto: toluene-2,5-diamine, p-phenylenediamine,N-phenyl-p-phenylenediamine, N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine,2-hydroxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine,hydroxypropyl-bis-(N-hydroxyethyl-p-phenylenediamine),2-methoxymethyl-p-phenylenediamine,2-(1,2-dihydroxyethyl)-p-phenylenediamine,2,2′-(2-(4-aminophenylamino)ethylazanediyl)diethanol,2-(2,5-diamino-4-methoxyphenyl)propane-1,3-diol,2-(7-amino-2H-benzo[b][1,4]oxazin-4(3H)-yl)ethanol,2-chloro-p-phenylenediamine, p-aminophenol, p-(methylamino)phenol,4-amino-m-cresol, 6-amino-m-cresol, 5-ethyl-o-aminophenol,2-methoxy-p-phenylenediamine, 2,2′-methylenebis-4-aminophenol,2,4,5,6-tetraminopyrimidine, 2,5,6-triamino-4-pyrimidinol,1-hydroxyethyl-4,5-diaminopyrazole sulfate, 4,5-diamino-1-methylpyrazole, 4,5 -diamino-1-ethylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-isopropylpyrazole, 4,5 -diamino-1-butylpyrazole, 4,5-diamino-1-pentylpyrazole, 4,5 -diamino-1-benzylpyrazole,2,3-diamino-6,7-dihydropyrazolo[1,2-a]pyrazol-1(5H)-onedimethosulfonate, 4,5-diamino-1-hexylpyrazole,4,5-diamino-1-heptylpyrazole, methoxymethyl-1,4-diaminobenzene,N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(4-aminophenyl)-1,2-diaminothane, saltsthereof and mixtures thereof. Suitable couplers include, but are notlimited to: resorcinol, 4-chlororesorcinol, 2-chlororesorcinol,2-methylresorcinol, 4,6-dichlorobenzene-1,3-diol,2,4-dimethylbenzene-1,3-diol, m-aminophenol, 4-amino-2-hydroxytoluene,2-methyl-5-hydroxyethylaminophenol, 3-amino-2,6-dimethylphenol,3-amino-2,4-dichlorophenol, 5-amino-6-chloro-o-cresol,5-amino-4-chloro-o-cresol, 6-hydroxybenzomorpholine,2-amino-5-ethylphenol, 2-amino-5-phenylphenol, 2-amino-5-methylphenol,2-amino-6-methylphenol, 2-amino-5-ethoxyphenol,5-methyl-2-(methylamino)phenol, 2,4-diaminophenoxyethanol,2-amino-4-hydroxyethylaminoanisole,1,3-bis-(2,4-diaminophenoxy)-propane,2,2′-(2-methyl-1,3-phenylene)bis(azanediyl)diethanol,benzene-1,3-diamine, 2,2′-(4,6-diamino-1,3-phenylene)bis(oxy)diethanol,3-(pyrrolidin-1-yl)aniline, 1-(3-(dimethylamino)phenyl)urea,1-(3-aminophenyl)urea, 1-naphthol, 2-methyl-1-naphthol,1,5-naphthalenediol, 2,7-naphthalenediol or1-acetoxy-2-methylnaphthalene, 4-chloro-2-methylnaphthalen-1-ol,4-methoxy-2-methylnaphthalen-1-ol, 2,6-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethylpyridine,2,6-dimethoxy-3,5-pyridinediamine,3-amino-2-methylamino-6-methoxypyridine, 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridine,2,6-diaminopyridine, pyridine-2,6-diol, 5,6-dihydroxyindole,6-hydroxyindole, 5,6-dihydroxyindoline,3-methyl-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-5(4H)-one, 1,2,4-trihydroxybenzene,2-(benzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-ylamino)ethanol (also known ashydroxyethyl-3,4-methylenedioxyaniline), and mixtures thereof.

The first composition, and the dye component, may comprise a direct dye.For example, the direct dye may be present in a total amount of fromabout 0.05% to about 4% by total weight of the first composition.Suitable direct dyes include but are not limited to: Acid dyes such asAcid Yellow 1, Acid Orange 3, Acid Black 1, Acid Black 52, Acid Orange7, Acid Red 33, Acid Yellow 23, Acid Blue 9, Acid Violet 43, HC Blue 16,Acid Blue 62, Acid Blue 25, Acid Red 4; Basic Dyes such as Basic Brown17, Basic Red 118, Basic Orange 69, Basic Red 76, Basic Brown 16, BasicYellow 57, Basic Violet 14, Basic Blue 7, Basic Blue 26, Basic Red 2,Basic Blue 99, Basic Yellow 29, Basic Red 51, Basic Orange 31, BasicYellow 87,4-(3-(4-amino-9,10-dioxo-9,10-dihydroanthracen-1-ylamino)propyl)-4-methylmorpholin-4-ium-methylsulfate,(E)-1-(2-(4-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)diazenyl)phenyl)(ethyl)amino)ethyl)-3-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-iumchloride,(E)-4-(2-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyediazenyl)-1-methyl-1H-imidazol-3-ium-3-yl)butane-1-sulfonate,(E)-4-(4-(2-methyl-2-phenylhydrazono)methyl)pyridinium-1-yl)butane-1-sulfonate,N,N-dimethyl-3-(4-(methylamino)-9,10-dioxo-4a,9,9a,10-tetrahydroanthracen-1-ylamino)-N-propylpropan-1-aminiumbromide; Disperse Dyes such as Disperse Red 17, Disperse Violet 1,Disperse Red 15, Disperse Black 9, Disperse Blue 3, Disperse Blue 23,Disperse Blue 377; Nitro Dyes such as1-(2-(4-nitrophenylamino)ethyl)urea,2-(4-methyl-2-nitrophenylamino)ethanol, 4-nitrobenzene-1,2-diamine,2-nitrobenzene-1,4-diamine, Picramic acid, HC Red No. 13,2,2′-(2-nitro-1,4-phenylene)bis(azanediyl)diethanol, HC Yellow No. 5, HCRed No. 7, HC Blue No.2, HC Yellow No. 4, HC Yellow No. 2, HC Orange No.1, HC Red No. 1,2-(4-amino-2-chloro-5-nitrophenylamino)ethanol, HC RedNo. 3,4-amino-3-nitrophenol, 4-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-3-nitrophenol,2-amino-3-nitrophenol, 2-(3-(methylamino)-4-nitrophenoxy)ethanol,3-(3-amino-4-nitrophenyl)propane-1,2-diol, HC Yellow No. 11, HC VioletNo. 1, HC Orange No. 2, HC Orange No. 3, HC Yellow No. 9, HC Red No. 10,HC Red No. 11, 2-(2-hydroxyethylamino)-4,6-dinitrophenol, HC Blue No.12, HC Yellow No. 6, HC Yellow No. 12, HC Blue No. 10, HC Yellow No. 7,HC Yellow No. 10, HC Blue No. 9, 2-chloro-6-(ethylamino)-4-nitrophenol,6-nitropyridine-2,5-diamine, HC Violet No. 2,2-amino-6-chloro-4-nitrophenol, 4-(3-hydroxypropylamino)-3-nitrophenol,HC Yellow No. 13, 6-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline, HC Red No. 14,HC Yellow No. 15, HC Yellow No. 14,N2-methyl-6-nitropyridine-2,5-diamine,N1-allyl-2-nitrobenzene-1,4-diamine, HC Red No. 8, HC Green No.1, HCBlue No. 14; Natural dyes such as Annato, Anthocyanin, Beetroot,Carotene, Capsanthin, Lycopene, Chlorophyll, Henna, Indigo, Cochineal;and mixtures thereof.

The first composition, and any of the dye and/or the developercomponent(s), may comprise a chelant (also known as “chelating agent”,“sequestering agent”, or “sequestrant”) in an amount sufficient toreduce the amount of metals available to interact with formulationcomponents, particularly oxidizing agents, more particularly peroxides.Any suitable chelants known in the art may be used. For example, thechelant may be selected from the group consisting in carboxylic acids,phosphonic acids, polyphosphoric acids, their salts thereof, andmixtures thereof; or from the group consisting of DTPA, DTPMP, EDDS,their salts thereof, their derivatives thereof, and mixtures thereof; orEDDS. For example, the chelant may be present in a total amount of atleast about 0.01% by total weight of the first composition.

The composition may comprise a radical scavenger. As used herein theterm “radical scavenger” refers to a species that can react with aradical, preferably a carbonate radical to convert the radical speciesby a series of fast reactions to a less reactive species. For example,the radical scavenger may be selected from the group consisting ofglycine, sarcosine, lysine, serine, 2 methoxyethylamine, glucosamine,glutamic acid, morpholine, piperdine, ethylamine, 3 amino-1-propanol,and mixtures thereof; and/or it may present in a total amount of fromabout 0.1% to about 10% by total weight of the first composition.

The first composition may comprise a pH modifier and/or buffering agentin an amount that is sufficiently effective to adjust the pH of thecomposition to fall within a range from about 3 to about 13,alternatively from about 8 to about 12, alternatively from about 9 toabout 11.

The first composition may comprise a thickener in an amount sufficientto provide the composition with a viscosity so that it can be readilyapplied to the hair without unduly dripping off the hair and causingmess. For example, the thickener may be selected from the groupconsisting of associative polymers, polysaccharides, non-associativepolycarboxylic polymers, and mixtures thereof; and/or it may be presentin a total amount of from at least about 0.1% by total weight of thefirst composition.

The first composition may comprise a source of carbonate ions, carbamateions, hydrogen carbonate ions, and mixtures thereof in a sufficientamount to reduce damage to the hair during the colouring process. Forexample, the source of carbonate ions may be selected from the groupconsisting of ammonium carbonate, ammonium hydrogen carbonate, andmixtures thereof; and/or it may be present in a total amount of fromabout 0.1% to about 15% by total weight of the first composition.

The first composition may comprise a conditioning agent. Any suitableconditioning agent known in the art may be used. For example, theconditioning agent may be selected from the group consisting ofsilicones, aminosilicones, fatty alcohols, polymeric resins, polyolcarboxylic acid esters, cationic polymers, cationic surfactants,insoluble oils and oil derived materials and mixtures thereof; and/or itmay be present in a total amount of from about 0.05% to about 20% bytotal weight of the first composition.

The first composition may comprise a surfactant. Any suitable surfactantknown in the art may be used. For example, the surfactant may beselected from the group consisting of surfactants generally having alipophilic chain length of from about 8 to about 30 carbon atoms andbeing selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants,amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, and mixtures thereof;and/or it may be present in a total amount of from about 1% to about 60%by total weight of the first composition.

The first composition may comprise, in addition to the ingredientsindicated above, further ingredients in order to further enhance theproperties of the composition, as long as these are not excluded by theclaims. Suitable further ingredients include, but not limited to:fragrances; enzymes; dispersing agents; peroxide stabilizing agents;antioxidants; natural ingredients (such as proteins, protein compounds,and plant extracts); ceramides; preserving agents; opacifiers andpearling agents (such as titanium dioxide and mica); and mixturesthereof.

The Second Composition

The method also comprises the step of providing a second composition,wherein said composition is compatible for mixing with the firstcomposition (step ii). The second composition may be selected from thegroup consisting of a hair colouring and/or bleaching composition, ahair perming composition, a dilutant composition, a composition of lowerpH than the first composition, a composition of higher pH than the firstcomposition, and mixtures thereof. The second composition may compriseany of the ingredients abovementioned. The second composition aims ataltering the treatment profile, particularly the hair colouring and/orbleaching profile, of the first composition. In other words, aftermixing the second portion of the first composition with the secondcomposition, the obtained mixed composition would treat hair in adifferent degree. For example, when providing and applying some of thefirst oxidative hair colouring and/or bleaching composition onto hairroots, and when mixing the remaining first composition with a dilutantcomposition and applying the resulting composition onto hair lengths andtips, the lengths and tips would be coloured and/or bleached in a lessdegree (i.e. lighter shade) than the hair roots, which would match thedifference of colouration prior-treatment between the hair roots(virgin) and the hair lengths and tips (previously coloured and/ordamaged hair).

The second composition may have a viscosity of from about 20 to about200 Pa at 10s⁻¹, or from about 20 to about 180 Pa at 10 s⁻¹, or fromabout 40 to about 180 Pa at 10 s⁻¹, from about 70 to about 170 Pa at 10s⁻¹, as measured according to the viscosity test method

The dilutant composition may comprise water and optionally at least oneactive component. The active component may be selected from the groupconsisting of surfactants, polymers, conditioning actives, solvents, C6to C30 fatty alcohols, thickeners and mixtures thereof. The dilutantcomponent may comprise up to 99%, or up to 90%, or up to 85% by weightof water; and/or it may comprise up to 25%, or from 1% to 20%, or from5% to 20% by weight of the active component.

The second composition of lower pH than the first composition maycomprise a pH reducing agent. A pH reducing agent is typically an acidwhich is added to a composition to lower the pH of the composition. Thedifference of pH between the first composition and the secondcomposition may be at least 0.1 or at least 0.25 or at least 0.5 or atleast 1. For example, the pH reducing agent may be selected from thegroup consisting of citric acid, phosphoric acid, salicylic acid,etidronic acid, acetic acid, ascorbic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuricacid and mixtures thereof.

The second composition of higher pH than the first composition maycomprise a pH increasing agent. A pH increasing agent is typically abase which is added to a composition to increase the pH of thecomposition. The difference of pH between the second composition and thefirst composition may be at least 0.1 or at least 0.25 or at least 0.5or at least 1. For example, the pH increasing agent may be selected fromthe group consisting of ammonia, ammonium bicarbonate, ammoniumcarbonate, ammonium chloride, ammonium hydroxide, ammonium phosphate,calcium carbonate, calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, diammoniumphosphate, dipotassium phosphate, ethanolamine, isopropanolamine,isopropylamine, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium oxide, potassium borate,potassium carbonate, potassium citrate, potassium hydroxide, potassiumoxide, sodium bicarbonate, sodium borate, sodium carbonate, sodiumhydroxide, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium silicate, urea and mixturesthereof.

The Recipient 1

The method also comprises the step of providing a recipient 1 (stepiii). The recipient 1 comprises a base 11, a frame 12 attachedcircumferentially to the base 11, and a cavity delimitated by the base11 and the frame 12 and being suitable for containing a hair treatmentcomposition, wherein the frame 12 comprises a partition means and/orindicia 13 for physically or virtually splitting the volume of thecavity into at least two adjacent sub-volumes. The recipient may alsocomprise a grasp hold 14 attached to the frame. The partition indicia 13may be a substantially vertical line located on the frame 12 of therecipient 1, and optionally on its base 11, said line being engravedinto and/or embossed onto the internal side of the frame 12. Thepartition means 13 may be a substantially vertical partition wallreleasably and sealably attached to the internal side of the frameand/or the base of recipient, to split the volume of cavity into atleast two adjacent, individualized sub-volumes (embodiment not shown infigures). The partition means may be attached to the recipient, afterpouring the first composition and before applying a first portion of itto the hair; and/or wherein the partition wall may be detached from therecipient after retaining the second portion of the first composition.

One sub-volume of the cavity represents from about 90% to about 10%,preferably from about 80% to about 50%, more preferably from about 75%to about 55%, of the total volume of the cavity; and wherein the othersub-volume of the cavity inversely represents from about 10% to about90%, preferably from about 50% to about 80%, more preferably from about55% to about 75%, of the total volume of the cavity. Both sub-volume areadjacent as per an horizontal plan.

The base 11 of the recipient 1 may have a shape selected from circular,oval, squared, rectangular; alternatively a shape selected fromcircular, oval; alternatively a shape being circular. The longestdistance of the base 11, between two diametrically opposed edge points,may range from about 120 mm and about 216 mm, or from about 145 mm toabout 187 mm. The shortest distance of the base 11, between twodiametrically opposed edge points, may range from about 30 mm to about130 mm, or from about 55 mm to about 105 mm.

The frame 12 of the recipient 1 may have an average height ranging offrom about 23 mm and about 80 mm, or from about 30 mm to about 55 mm.

The cavity may have a volume of from about 82 cm³ to about 2246 cm³,preferably from about 140 cm³ to about 1300 cm³, or from about 200 cm³to about 400 cm³.

The recipient 1 may be made of a material being plastics; or is made ofa material selected from PET, PETG, PP, PS, HDPE, plastic laminatepapers, and mixtures thereof; or is made of a material selected fromPET.

In a preferred embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the recipient 1is a bowl, said recipient 1 has a base 11 of oval shape with the longestand the shortest distances of the base 11 between two diametricallyopposed edge points being respectively about 157.2 mm and about 88.3 mm;a frame 12 having an average height of 41 mm; a cavity having a volumeof about 290 cm³; a partition means 13 being a substantially vertical,linear, embossed line located on the internal side of the frame and thecorresponding linear, embossed line located on the internal side,wherein said partition means 13 defined one sub-volume of the cavitybeing about 42.2 cm³; and wherein said recipient 1 is made ofpolyethylene tetraphtalate (PET).

The Mixing and/or the Application Tool 2

The method may also comprise the step of providing a mixing and/orapplication tool 2 (step iv). Any suitable mixing and/or applicationtool known in the art may be used. In a preferred embodiment, as shownin FIG. 5, said tool 2 is a brush.

Application Steps

The method also comprises further steps.

The first composition is poured into the cavity of the recipient 1 (stepv), then a first portion of the first composition is applied onto thehair (step vi). This first portion is preferably applied onto the hairroots. It may be applied using the application tool 2 abovementioned.

The applied first composition may be left onto hair, for a timesufficient for treating hair, preferably from about 1 min to about 60min, or from about 10 min to about 40 min, or from about 15 min to about30 min, or for about 20 min (step vii).

The second portion 3 of the non-applied first composition may bekept/retained, the volume of said second portion 3 corresponding to oneof the two sub-volumes of the cavity (step viii). Whenever necessary,any excess of the second portion 3 may be eliminated. By excess, it ismeant any amount exceeding said one sub-volume of the cavity.

The second composition is poured into the other sub-volume (step ix).The second composition is then mixed with the non-applied firstcomposition 3 (step x). The mixing may be carried out using theapplication tool 2 abovementioned. These steps ix) and x) may beperformed immediately after step vi, and/or concomitantly to step vii.The first composition and the second compositions may be mixed at aratio of from about 1:2 to about 4:1, or from about 1:2 to about 2:1, orfrom about 2:1; alternatively at a ratio of less than about 1:2, or fromabout 1:25 to about 1:2.1, or from about 1:20 to about 1:2.1, or fromabout 1:10 to about 1:2.1, or from about 1:5 to about 1:2.1.

The mixed composition obtained in step (x) is subsequently applied ontohair (step xi). It is preferably applied onto the hair lengths and tips.It may be applied using the application tool 2 abovementioned.

The mixed composition may be left onto hair for a time sufficient fortreating hair, preferably from about 1 min to about 60 min, or aboutfrom 1 min to about 40 min, or from about 5 min to about 20 min, orabout 10 min (step xii).

The hair may be rinsed and/or cleaned (step xiii). Hair may be rinsedwith an aqueous media, preferably with water, more preferably with tapwater. Hair may be cleansed with a cleansing composition, preferablywith a shampoo composition. Any suitable aqueous media and/or cleansingcomposition known in the art may be used. Hair roots on one hand andhair lengths and tips on the other hand may be rinsed and/or cleansedsimultaneously or separately. When simultaneously, hair roots, lengthsand tips may be rinsed and/or cleansed after the respective compositionhave been applied onto hair (steps vi and xi), and optionally after saidcompositions have been left on hair for a time sufficient for treatinghair (steps vii and xii). When separately, hair roots may be rinsedand/or cleansed before applying the mixed composition onto the hairlengths and tips (steps xi).

A conditioning composition may be provided and applied onto hair. It maybe applied instead of, before and/or after rinsing/cleansing hair (stepxiv). Any suitable conditioning composition known in the art may beused.

A colour-refresher composition may be provided and applied onto hair.Any suitable colour-refresher composition known in the art may be used(step xv).

Hair may be dried (step xvi). Hair may be dried partially or completely,using a drying tool, for example a towel or an electrical drying toolsuch as a blow drier.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a hair treatmentkit. The kit is suitable for extemporaneous preparation of hairtreatment compositions as defined hereinbefore. The kit comprises: afirst composition having a viscosity of from about 20 to about 200 Pa at10 s⁻¹, as measured according to the viscosity test method; a secondcomposition, wherein said composition is compatible for mixing with thefirst composition; and a recipient 1 comprising a base 11, a frame 12attached circumferentially to the base 11, optionally at least one grasphold 14 attached to the frame 12, and a cavity delimitated by the base11 and the frame 12 and being suitable for containing hair colouringcompositions, wherein the frame 12 comprises a partition means and/orindicia 13 for virtually or physically splitting the volume of cavityinto at least two adjacent sub-volumes. Said first composition, secondcomposition and recipient 1 are defined hereinbefore. The kit may alsocomprise a rinsing and/or cleansing composition, preferably a shampoocomposition; and/or a conditioning composition; and/or acolour-refresher composition. The kit may also comprise a mixing and/orapplication tool 2, preferably a brush. The rinsing and/or cleansingcomposition, the conditioning composition, the colour-refreshercomposition and the mixing and/or application tool are definedhereinbefore. The kit may also comprise a set of instructions comprisinginstructing the user to colour its hair according to the method definedhereinbefore. The instructions may be conveyed via a text descriptionand/or using schematic representation and/or using a series of pictures,detailing the various steps to be carried out.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a recipient 1suitable for containing hair treatment compositions comprising: a base11; a frame 12 attached circumferentially to the base 11; and a cavitydelimitated by the base 11 and the frame 12 and being suitable forcontaining hair treatment compositions, wherein the frame 12 comprises apartition means and/or indicia 13 for virtually or physically splittingthe volume of cavity into at least two adjacent sub-volumes. Therecipient 1 may also comprise a grasp hold 14 attached to the frame. Therecipient 1 is further defined hereinbefore.

The inventors have surprisingly found that the provision of such arecipient 1, comprising partition means and/or indicia 13, allows theuser such as the non-trained consumer to put into practice the method oftreating hair, using two differing compositions to be applied ondifferent portions of hair such as on hair roots and on lengths/tips, inan easy and intuitive fashion. This recipient allows accomplishing ahair treatment method in a fashion unmet so far.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of arecipient as defined hereinbefore, as a support for containing twodiffering hair treatment compositions, before their application ontodifferent portions of hair, preferably before their respectiveapplication on the roots and lengths/tips of hair.

The viscosity of a composition is measured using a TA Instruments AR2000 Rheometer or equivalent device equipped with a Peltier plate and a6 cm flat acrylic plate with cross hatchings. The instrument iscalibrated according to the manufacturer's instructions and the Peltierplate is set at 25.0° C. The cone is raised to a position approximately4.5 cm above the plate Immediately after the mixing, approximately 10 gof the mixture is transferred gently onto the centre of the Peltierplate using a spatula. The cone is lowered to obtain the specified gapbetween the tip of the cone and the upper surface of the Peltier plate.The gap setting is specified by the manufacturer of the cone and istypically approximately 1000 microns. The rheometer is programmed tooperate in rotational mode with the shear stress ramped from 0.1 to 600Pa over a period of 4 minutes, termination at 1000 reciprocal seconds.Rotation is initiated immediately after the specified gap isestablished. Viscosity data collected during the measurement period areshear stress (Pa) plotted as a function of shear rate (s⁻¹).

EXAMPLES

Dye component formulations: Each of the formulations (100% total)detailed below comprises a generic base and a specific dye mix. The basecomprises the following compounds (by total weight of dye component):9.0% Crodafos CES (cetearyl alcohol, dicetyl phosphate, ceteh-10phosphate); 2.0% cetearyl alcohol; 1.0% steareth-200; 7.5%propylenglycol; 0.1% EDTA disodium salt; 0.3% ascorbic acid; 0.4% sodiumsulphite; 1.0% ammonium sulfate and/or sodium sulfate; 3.35%Na3-ethenediamine disuccinate; 0.25% perfume. The dye mixes comprise thefollowing compounds (by total weight of dye component):

Shades 6/0 5/0 7/0 9/0 10/0 7/7 5/43 Toluene-2,5-diamine 0.935 1.3090.69 0.182 0.7 1.4 Sulfate 4-Amino phenol 0.115 0.161 0.083 0.066 0.58Resorcinol 0.455 0.637 0.337 0.11 0.165 0.88 2-Methyl-recorcinol 0.1652.4-Diamino- 0.018 0.025 0.01 phenoxyethanol HCL m-Amminophenol 0.1050.145 0.074 0.045 0.013 0.185 2-Methyl-5- 0.025 0.035 0.02 0.003 0.0390.34 hydroxyethylamino- phenol (Paox) 2-Amino-6-chloro-4- 0.008nitrophenol Ammonium Hydroxide 0.743 1.04 0.546 0.163 0.51 1.28 25%Ammonia 25% of 0.48 0.48 buffer Ammonium Hydroxide 6.37 4 7.28 7.69 5.54.5 4.5 25% Water qsp qsp qsp qsp qsp qsp qsp

Developer Component Formulations

Developer component 1 2 3 4 Water Purified Disodium EDTA. 0.04 0.04Etidronic Acid 0.08 0.08 0.01 0.01 Aculyn 33 9.00 9.00 AcrylatesSteeareth-20 methacrylate 0.10 0.10 copolymer Hydrogen peroxidesolution, 50% 12.00 18.00 12.00 18.00 Simethicone Emulsion 0.01 0.01Cetearyl alcohol 3.4 3.4 Ceteareth-25 0.8 0.8 Salicyclic acid 0.1 0.1Disodium phosphate 0.08 0.08

Dilutant composition 1:1.8% Propylene glycol, 1.5% Hydroxycellulose,2.0% Quaternium-80 (in 50% glycol), 1.25% Soytrimmonium chloride (60%),0.5% PEG-40 hydrogenated castor oil, 0.4% Phenoxyethanol, 0.7%Cocoamidopropyl betaine, 0.002% Formic acid, 0.2% Perfume, 0.3% DMDMhydantoin, 0.1% Hydrolised sweet almond protein, 0.1% Disodium EDTA andup to 100% water, by total weight of the dilutant composition.

Dilutant component 2:0.1% Guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, 4.0%Cetrimonium chloride, 0.4% Phenoxyethanol, 0.3% Methyl paraben, 0.05%Titanium dioxide, 4.0% Cetearyl alcohol, 0.5% Fragrance, 0.1% Fruitextract and up to 100% water, by total weight of the dilutantcomposition.

Dilutant component 3: 2.0% Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, 2.5% Cetylalcohol, 4.5% Stearyl alcohol, 0.1% Ethylene diamine tetra acetic acidEDTA, 0.4333% Preservatives, 4.995% Amodimethicone, 0.005%Trimethylsiloxysilicate MQ resin, 0.64% L_Glutamic acid, 0.2250%Panthenyl ethyl ether, 0.045% Panthenol, 0.05% Safflower, 0.05% Coconutoil, 0.1% Hydrolyzed sweet almond, 0.005% Aloe Gel, 0.4% perfume and upto 100% water, by total weight of the dilutant composition.

Recipient 1: a base 11 of oval shape with the longest and the shortestdistances of the base 11 between two diametrically opposed edge pointsbeing respectively 157.2 mm and 88.3 mm; a frame 12 having an averageheight of 41 mm; a cavity having a volume of 290 cm³; a partition means13 being a substantially vertical, linear, embossed line located on theinternal side of the frame 12 and the corresponding linear, embossedline located on the internal side, wherein said partition means 13defined one sub-volume of the cavity being 42.2 cm³; material being PET.

Method of treating hair: It is a provided to a non-trained user (i.e. aconsumer, not a professionally trained hair dresser) a recipient asshown in the FIGS. 1 to 5. The first composition is provided by pouring60 mL of a dye component and 60 mL of a developer component into therecipient, and then homogeneously mixing both components (ratio 1:1)using a conventional brush 2 as shown in FIG. 5. Between 55% and 75% ofthe first composition (aka the first portion of the first composition)is applied onto the hair roots, using the brush 2. Said applied firstcomposition is left onto hair root for a time sufficient for colouringand/or bleaching hair i.e. for about 20 min. Meanwhile, the non-appliedportion 3 of the first composition (aka the second portion of the firstcomposition) is kept and, whenever necessary, pushed and/or packed inthe smallest sub-volume of the cavity, which is virtually delimitated bythe partition lines embossed onto the internal sides of the frame 12 andthe base 11, as shown in FIG. 4 (computer simulation) and in FIG. 5(recipient upon use). The dilutant composition (aka the secondcomposition) is then poured into the other sub-volume of the cavity. Thesecond portion 3 of the first composition and the second composition aremixed homogeneously using the brush 2. The mixed composition is thenapplied onto the hair lengths and tips, using the brush 2. Said appliedmixed composition is left onto hair root for a time sufficient forcolouring and/or bleaching hair i.e. for about 10 min. The waiting timefor the applied first composition and the applied mixed composition,i.e. respectively about 20 min and about 10 min, elapse preferably atthe same time. Hairs are then rinsed abundantly using running water, forremoving the composition. Whenever necessary, the hair are cleansedusing a conventional shampoo composition, the hair are treated using acondition composition and/or a colour-refresher composition and/or thehair are dried using a towel or a blow drier. A superior hair colouringand/or bleaching performance, particularly a superior root to tiptreatment evenness, is obtained.

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm.”

Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or relatedpatent or application and any patent application or patent to which thisapplication claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded orotherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission thatit is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimedherein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other referenceor references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention.Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in thisdocument conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in adocument incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assignedto that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair treatment kit comprising: a firstcomposition having a viscosity of from about 20 to about 200 Pa at 10s⁻¹; a second composition, wherein said composition is compatible formixing with the first composition; optionally a rinsing and/or cleansingcomposition; optionally a conditioning composition; optionally acolour-refresher composition; a recipient comprising a base, a frameattached circumferentially to the base, optionally at least one grasphold attached to the frame, and a cavity delimitated by the base and theframe and being suitable for containing hair colouring compositions,wherein the frame comprises a partition means and/or indicia forvirtually or physically splitting the volume of cavity into at least twoadjacent sub-volumes; optionally a mixing and/or application tool.
 2. Arecipient suitable for containing hair treatment compositionscomprising: a base; a frame attached circumferentially to the base;optionally at least one grasp hold attached to the frame; and a cavitydelimitated by the base and the frame and being suitable for containinghair treatment compositions wherein the frame comprises a partitionmeans and/or indicia for virtually or physically splitting the volume ofcavity into at least two adjacent sub-volumes.